Marriott International Hosted the 2013 Marriott Charity Gala Dinner to Support Yao Foundation

Yao Ming attended as guest of honour

Shanghai, China – In line with Marriott International’s ongoing Spirit to Serve community campaign, Marriott hotels in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Kunshan, Wuxi, Ningbo, Wuhan and Changzhou joined forces to host the 2013 Marriott Charity Black Tie Gala Dinner on 6 September 2013 and raised a net total of USD 241,000 (RMB 1,488,000) for Yao Foundation, Marriott International’s non-profit charity partner in China. The event took place at Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre.

The evening was centred on an authentic New Orleans theme with jazz music and performances and a customized menu by The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans Hotel. Over 530 guests were present at the gala event, which was graced by Yao Ming, former professional basketball star and founder of Yao Foundation, his wife Ye Li, and Simon Cooper, president and managing director and of Marriott International Asia Pacific.

Prior to the event, Simon Cooper commented: “We are looking forward to hosting this charity gala dinner. Marriott International has a heritage of putting people first and opening doors to a world of opportunity for its guests, partners and associates. The key to making this happen is education, especially for the younger generations. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Yao Foundation and to make a contribution to support children’s education in China.”

The event was supported by the following key sponsors:

Sponsorship of USD 8,098 (RMB 50,000) per company, in cash or in kind or combined
United Airlines, Juneyao Airlines, Montblanc, Samsung, Michael Wong (Hong Kong celebrity), Qatar Airlines, Kimberly-Clark Professional, Metro Jinjiang Cash & Carry, Shenzhen Dajiahua Food

Sponsorship of USD 4,049 (RMB 25,000) per company, in cash or in kind or combined
Air New Zealand, Premium Hungarian Wines, Subalpino, Hewlett-Packard, Rioja, Yuan Liu

Yao Foundation is a highly regarded charity organisation established in 2008 by Yao Ming under the auspices of The China Youth Development Foundation and aims to promote the all-round development of Chinese youth by providing them the opportunities to improve their education, sports skills, health and self-esteem.

Under the terms of a three-year agreement with Yao Foundation, Marriott cluster hotels will donate USD 809,848 (RMB 5,000,000) to Yao Foundation to establish three Project Hope schools in the Southwestern region of China. The Marriott donation will also be used to support the Yao Foundation Hope Primary School basketball season program in 2014 and 2015.

The cocktail reception and silent auction began at 5:30pm, followed by a five-course dinner at 8pm with raffle draw and live auction, and finished with dance and entertainment by 10pm. Tickets were priced at USD 257 (RMB1,588) per person and USD 3,220 (RMB19,880) per corporate table of 10 with corporate benefits. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Yao Foundation.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands, including Marriott Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Bulgari, EDITION, Renaissance, Gaylord Hotels, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels by Marriott, Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, Marriott Executive Apartments, Marriott Vacation Club, Grand Residences by Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club. There are approximately 325,000 employees at headquarters, managed and franchised properties. Marriott is consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business operations, which it conducts based on five core values: put people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity, and serve our world. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

About Yao Foundation
Yao Foundation is a specialized fund by Yao Ming under the auspices of The China Youth Development Foundation and aims at promoting the all-around development of Chinese youth by providing them the opportunities to improve their education, sports skills, health and self-esteem. Since Yao Foundation established, more than 9,000 Chinese rural youth have benefited from studying in the 15 Hope Primary Schools it has funded. Besides constructing the school buildings, the Yao Foundation also improves the educational experience of Chinese youth by partnering with leading Chinese and multinational companies to build libraries, computer rooms, kitchens, and sports and exercise areas in local schools. In 2012, the Yao Foundation initiates a new programme called the “Yao Foundation Hope Primary School Basketball Season.” In 2012 and 2013, the programme teaches around forty thousand Chinese youth basketball skills. More importantly, it will help them build self-confidence and learn sportsmanship which will be crucial for their development in the future. For more information about Yao Foundation, visit www.yaofoundation.cn.